With their 41-28 victory over the Houston Texans, the New England Patriots ensured a rematch between themselves and the Baltimore Ravens, who beat Denver 38-35 on Saturday in double overtime. And just like last year’s AFC championship, the game will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Last year’s game was a classic that ended on a missed 32-yard field goal attempt by Baltimore’s Billy Cundiff. And although Cundiff won’t be kicking in next week’s game, the teams are essentially the same as they were last year.
Baltimore comes into the game having pulled off the biggest upset of the 2013 NFL Playoffs after shocking Denver at home. Denver held a 7-point lead with under a minute to play when Joe Flacco hit Jacoby Jones on a 70-yard touchdown pass. Jones was able to get behind the Broncos’ prevent defense on what was essentially a hail mary pass from Flacco. The Ravens tied the game and eventually won on a 47-yard field goal early in the second overtime.
New England took care of business at home against the Houston Texans, opening up a 14-point first half lead that was never seriously threatened in the second half. New England will be significant favorites at home against a Baltimore Ravens team that is trying to send Ray Lewis into retirement with another Super Bowl appearance. New England will be trying to get back to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, after losing the Lombardi Trophy to the New York Giants in last year’s big game.
Baltimore comes into the game having pulled off the biggest upset of the 2013 NFL Playoffs after shocking Denver at home. Denver held a 7-point lead with under a minute to play when Joe Flacco hit Jacoby Jones on a 70-yard touchdown pass. Jones was able to get behind the Broncos’ prevent defense on what was essentially a hail mary pass from Flacco. The Ravens tied the game and eventually won on a 47-yard field goal early in the second overtime.
New England took care of business at home against the Houston Texans, opening up a 14-point first half lead that was never seriously threatened in the second half. New England will be significant favorites at home against a Baltimore Ravens team that is trying to send Ray Lewis into retirement with another Super Bowl appearance. New England will be trying to get back to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, after losing the Lombardi Trophy to the New York Giants in last year’s big game.